Work has begun on a new 13-unit rental housing project in downtown Castlegar intended for families, seniors, individuals and people living with disabilities.
Construction on the $7.5-million project at 1101 2nd St. is expected to be finished in late 2024. The location is the site of a former motel that was demolished in 2011.
According to a news release, Eagle Estates will consist of eight one-bedroom apartments for people with low to moderate-income on the upper floors, and a five-bedroom group home for people living with developmental disabilities on the ground floor. Full-time, on-site support services will be available for tenants in the group home.
The Kootenay Society for Community Living will own and operate the building, while Community Living BC will cover operating and administrative costs associated with the five-bed group home.
The project’s financing breaks down this way:
- The provincial government, through BC Housing, is providing $3.3 million.
- The province and the federal government provided $1.62 million from two different funds.
- The federal government chipped in another $650,000 from an investment fund.
- The Kootenay Society for Community Living provided $1 million in capital and the land for the project.
- The Columbia Basin Trust is contributing $821,000.
- The City of Castlegar waived fees totalling $48,000.
“KSCL’s administration and board started with a plan for housing 10 years ago,” Kootenay Society for Community Living executive director Kathleen Elias said in the release.
“It seems surreal that is finally coming to life to serve those individuals, families, and others in our community who need affordable housing. This project promotes our goal of inclusion, recognizing everyone’s diversities and being part of our Castlegar community.”
(CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated what used to stand on the site.)
